How to make Keema Rice

What is keema rice?

Let’s start at the beginning… what exactly is keema? Maybe keema naan is your go-to accompaniment to an Indian or Nepalese meal, but keema rice could be new territory. Keema rice is a dish of spiced minced meat (keema) and rice. Its history is deeply rooted in the various languages spoken across India, including Hindi and Punjab (which both use qīmā), as well as Urdu (with a slightly different spelling, qime).

Keema doesn’t just have a home in India though – it’s also a very popular dish in neighbouring countries, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Afghanistan and Nepal.

Is keema rice spicy?

It’s completely up to you how mild or spicy you want to make your keema rice. Customise your rice with different spices and experiment to find a balance which is perfect for your tastebuds.

Where does keema rice come from?

Regional versions of keema – seasoned and minced meat – are found dotted all over the globe. Whether it’s Mexico’s chilli con carne, France’s hachis parmentier, or Greece’s moussaka, minced meat is a versatile ingredient. But it’s thought that keema’s life started somewhere in the Persian empire – modern-day Turkey, Syria and Iraq. The dish’s popularity then spread east with the Mughals, eventually finding its way to Pakistan and India.

How to make keema rice

Although keema rice is a delicious way of adding a punch to plain rice, it most likely started life as the butcher making use of leftovers – mincing together offcuts unlikely to sell on their own – to reduce waste.

See our quick keema rice with lamb mince recipe.

Keema rice ingredients

• Basmati rice
• Turmeric
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Garam Masala
• Chilli Powder
• Seasoned Meat
• Veggies

To serve, spoon the Keema rice into bowls and top with crispy onions, natural yoghurt, mint and coriander.

Which meats and proteins can be added to keema rice?

When it comes to choosing your keema rice’s protein, the world is your oyster. Seasoning may vary for different meats, but there’s nothing to say you can’t try something a little bit different. Lamb, goat and ground beef are traditional, but we think recipes are meant to be experimented with. How about some white breast meat, like chicken or turkey? Or you could use thicker chops of beef or mutton for a totally different texture. Just consider how fatty the cut is, as you don’t want your rice to get too greasy while mixing it all together.

What should you serve with keema rice?

Given keema rice’s complex mix of tastes and textures, and a healthy serving of protein to boot, it doesn’t really need to accompany anything. It can be both delicious and filling all by itself. But if you want to fill up the whole table, and satisfy a family of rumbly tummies, here are a few ideas of what keema rice could accompany as a side dish.

• Spiced veggies (try a chilli and garlic aubergine – it’s tasty when baked)
• Sweet greens (think broccoli, spinach or avocado)
• Flatbreads with dips (perhaps add some hummus or yoghurt)

Keema rice top tips

If your stomach is rumbling (like ours) with all this talk of keema rice, we’ll leave you with some of our top tips, so you can nail your next keema rice recipe.

• You can use frozen veggies if there’s nothing in the fridge – just chuck them into the pan with your rice and make sure they’re cooked all the way through
• To add an extra element of freshness and spice, consider some fresh coriander from the garden and some chopped chillies
• Don’t overlook salt and pepper when seasoning your keema rice
• If you’re cooking with lamb, some freshly grated ginger will make all the difference
• If stir-frying your rice, make sure you break up any lumps of pre-cooked rice beforehand

How healthy is keema rice?

Keema rice can be a healthy addition to your diet if you eat it in moderation and pair it with other ingredients. As this dish is so versatile, you can pack it with veggies and protein to make a healthy, filling meal.

Keema rice calories

Keema rice varies in calories dependent on the meat and veggie ratio you use, we would recommend weighing out your ingredients prior to cooking for exact calories.

Is keema rice gluten-free?

Keema rice is typically gluten-free as it is usually made with plain rice, minced meat and spices, none of which naturally contain gluten. However, we would always recommend double checking all ingredients when making this delicious dish at home.